Just For Fun Show your "old school" BJD

Since I can't guess, posted with Osaka's permission, this is what Laurel looks like now with her brother, my Rowan:


ETA: LINK! LINKS EVERYWHERE! 8D I was scrambling to try and get one of the ones still in stock before Volks shut down the website and reopened it but I wasn't able to save enough, fast enough. And while they sometimes come up on the secondary market I haven't seen one in a while.

 

armeleia and galatia9, I've always felt like Link was an under-appreciated sculpt. He's so much better in person, and I adore your guys!

Rorek--there's my pretty beach baby!

 

I don't know ANY of these dolls. D: Of course, a couple of them are only three years younger than me... and I start college in two weeks! o: These are all gorgeous dolls, though. It's really cool to see what was the beginnings of this hobby. The only hopes that one of them will make it into my tiny collection someday is secondhand. x3

Edit: Also starting to realize how much I don't know about the history of these dolls. So Luts and FL were arguing over rights to a doll that was CP? Is that why I keep seeing the names like Shiwoo in this thread as old dolls when I think of them as FL because I'm so new to BJD's? So confusing. 0.0 Very interesting though.

Edit edit: I've just finished reading the thread to this point and I'd like to un-thank everyone for adding to the grail list. ;_; CH Sram... I'm not going to get over that boy. I'm just going to stare at him until I die. That is all.

 

Noooo! *kicks and screams* Post spam instead. All the spam.

Welp, that's it. I'll be over here in a corner, rocking back and forth and crying about how I'm old now and have wasted my youth.

 

Not sure how old his mold is. I am at least his third owner. I do know Luts doesn't even have his page up any more.

 

It goes fast My youngest kiddo was eight, I think, when I started doing this and just started junior year of high school -- and I didn't even see the first several years' worth of dolls that were available here, so lots of these old ones are new to me, as well.

I was trying to explain it to myself but this is a much clearer explanation from an older thread:

It IS confusing. I keep being startled when I run across how many names were used for the company that made 2 of my older guys. I think it was 3 different things. -- one of the names was Dollti, which I didn't know; but I do remember seeing some Dollti dolls up for sale in the wayback and could kick myself for not knowing at the time (because I LOVE their stuff!)

HAHAHAHAHAAA! I love it

 

@armeleia Your Glow-in-the-Dark is giving me such bad past-feels haha ;_;. I remember looking over all of the AR Glory Angel pages when they were still available, and I still kick myself for being too young them for a steady job. Glow and Ren are still some of my favorite dream sculpts.

@Rynn007 I can't remember his mold name right now, but I recognize the face instantly! It's a shame some of the old sculpts were discontinued.

The CH spam reminds me, does anybody ever see more Chowon's around? I've always loved his mold and it's starting to become a grail for me, but I hardly ever see owners posting him anymore, or even sale threads. I would probably cry if I found a Chowon in reasonable condition.

And because I can't help it, since he's one of my old old farts (even though he is 2005, but I see some of us are skirting that line a little bit anyway haha):

Jacques, my Hound from when they started selling them on the Luts site. Who desperately needs a new wig but no company makes realistic blonde wigs anymore, gdi.

 

He's a Bomi! I saw a Somi and really wanted her but they discontinued her before I had the money. I settled for an Aru. Now Morgan is a Lolly.

 

Yes! Lotus is a Happydoll Ein. I got him secondhand in 2003. My first love! He has a faceup by Dennis Beltrane and "magic poles" in his knees. (If anyone out there remembers!) Here he is in his dome-headed, tiny-handed glory.

Excellent guess about Lily, soooo close! Hint: She and Ein were the first female and male sculpts by Inhyeungsa, and are named accordingly!
Fuji thanks you for your sweet comment. She is modeled after the legend of the Wisteria Maiden.

 

All the old-CH pictures are making me misty-eyed!! Keep 'em coming!!

I have to know -- what in the heck are "magic poles"??

-- A

 

"Magic poles" were the first mobility mod that owners would try as a way to provide more friction in the knee joint. It is an ooooooooldschool method of drilling through the side of the knee and inserting plastic rods horizontally in such a way that the elastic strains against the pole instead of going slack. In my Ein's case, whoever performed this operation gave up halfway through, leaving him a little scarred and lopsided. Does anyone else remember magic poles?!

 

Link was never very popular - he photographs poorly in general and always looked kinda beaky and boss-eyed in Volks official photos. For awhile the heads were easy to get since people just wanted the bodies... I picked up an extra cheap to mod into a sleeping head for Rory, but I never finished it. I should pull that out and finish it up!

Thanks for the comments on the Glow in the Dark. If you just like the sculpt , I believe it's a half- closed eye Dana. I actually got mine second hand much later, as a group gift! I love him because he's beautiful but also because I have very happy memories associated with him.

 

I was actually wondering about the glow-in-the-dark qualities back then. I even emailed the seller.

I love everybody's old school dolls. Although I've been collecting dolls for over 7 years now, there are still some I couldn't identify at all. It's interesting how BJD aesthetics have evolved.
I don't own anything pre-2005, but I think, these two are the oldest molds of my collection. They still feel pretty up-to-date to me …^^

Elfdoll Nabee was released in 2005
Echoes from Another Time by eviexm, on Flickr

Couldn't find out the release date of this boy: Soulkid Sweeney
Leto's little spotlight by eviexm, on Flickr

I'd really love to see some Lati dolls. Haven't seen photos of them for ages …

 

Link has such small eyeholes, and the 18mm irises they always photographed him in practically filled the whole space. He looks much better in 16mm. I like having a lot of white showing in his eyes.

Schtiel, your Jacques is beautiful.

evie the kid, Sweeney has been around for a long time! Your Nabee's faceup is amazing (and so is Sweeney's!).

Linda S.
galatia9

 

It doesn't seem like ANYONE has a Miya anymore!!! Loved seeing all your wonderful old ch rarities. Miya is the first bjd I ever saw in person.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have a Miya. I'm not sure what year she was made as I can't get her certificate out right now. I am not her first gardian.

 

Nancy, she's a real angel! Beautiful.

Linda S.
galatia9

 

Oh, thank you!! A little bit of dolly history that I never knew

(Heh, I performed a lot of probably-unforgivable-due-to-his-rarity mods on my HyperManiac Na-Hu . . . but he actually *stands* and *poses* now! HM had the most amazing face sculpts, but the bodies could be a bit . . . lacking in engineering. Still, amazing dolls, and I really miss them being around!)

A sweet story -- when I got him, he had a very limited order period, and it was December, so I'd already splashed out for Christmas gifts for my family.

My birthday is right before Christmas, so I'm pretty used to not being able to have a party on/near my b'day (the weekend before/after tends to be when people's employers throw their annual holiday parties.) I admit that I do compensate by celebrating from the actual date until New Year's, so that I can have a series of get-togethers with friends when they're available, instead of trying to have one big party, which always falls through.

At the time, I'd reached the point of my illness where I'd had to give up my job, and it would be another year and a half before I got approved for disability, so I'd had no income for some time. I'd had some savings, but they were depleting rapidly. I had *almost* enough to get Na-Hu . . . but not quite enough, and I don't use credit (especially when I can't pay it off ASAP), because it encourages me to spend beyond my means -- at least I know myself, eh?

I was so bummed, though -- I was CRAZY about him, and I'd already missed out on Omicron/Ksy, and HM didn't exactly have a regular release schedule (I think Muse came out after Na-Hu and... was it Gye-Do?... but that was the last HM release.) And I *almost* had enough money, but I wasn't going to be able to get it all together before the order period ended.

And my sweet daughter, who was 12 at the time, said that she was giving me $100 for my birthday so that I could get him. I cried -- it was the kindest and loveliest thing (I am very lucky to have been blessed with a compassionate, generous, amazing child.) I said that I couldn't, because it was too much money, but that I was so grateful for her being willing to do so . . . and then my husband (never a doll person), said that maybe she could give $25, and he'd give $75, and that might be more reasonable given the income disparity between them (by which he meant that he had a job and she had an allowance, LOL . . . but she was seriously willing to give me $100 that she'd saved up, because she knew that I was sad about being sick and in pain and unable to work.)

Needless to say, I still have him -- and I still get all misty-eyed thinking of Kira making that sweet, solemn, sincere offer, so that I could have the birthday/Christmas gift that I really wanted.

*sniff* Seriously, I have the best kid -- and whenever she drives me a little batty (she's 21, of course she's going to do so on occasion, although we're still really close and we love each other like crazy), I think of her holding up her piggy bank to try to buy me a BJD. Not that there haven't been a million other occasions when she's been sweet and amazing, and she's strong and smart and determined and I'm proud as hell of her, so I have a lot of wonderful moments to reminisce about . . . but I'm especially glad that she is *kind*, and that's the best feeling in the world to have

-- A

 

Oh Ashbet...*snuffle*...*blows nose*

That's a lovely story...thanks for sharing!

And thanks to everyone who has posted pics of their old school dolls...I've loved seeing them and been back to the thread every day....just didn't comment every time I came back for a look...

Alicex

 

This Link here:

(Osaka's boy)
My dearest boy, Christian!


He's the one that won me over. Being aroung him in person all the time really made me love the sculpt, and as soon as I actually saw him in person I was smitten, and since Osaka and I are roommates I get to see him every day, and it makes me so happy. X3

And I totally agree that default photos do him no justice. I also agree that he looks better with 16mm eyes. 18mm makes him look super squinty and is just too much eye for his face.

Hopefully someday I can track down one of my own.

 

Ashbet, what a moving story! Your daughter must be a very sweet person.

galatia9, thanks a lot. Hard to believe my dolls are so "old" already. ^^

This thread really makes me miss seeing all the older molds in the gallery. And it's a shame that Customhouse isn't around anymore …

 

So many amazing older dolls! Oh, the Customhouse! It hurts. I joined in 2006 and I loved their sculpts so much.
I'm going to skirt the pre-2005 line here with my oldest doll. She was the first BJD I ever saw in person and my sister bought her second-hand in early 2006. Her first owner said she had had her for at least a year. Plus, the plate on the back of her head says 'Tiffee 7', so she's getting on in years. She was quite popular as both a boy and a girl back in the day, do you know what sculpt she is?

Back in 2008, after purchasing her from her second owner, my sister: Witch of the Rock5 by fastfeetnella, on Flickr
And earlier this summer!:
Contemplating by fastfeetnella, on Flickr

 

I'm still hoping someone will post a Prayer Cyn. I never did manage to get my hands on him or the Prayer Choa. We don't even have a regular Cyn in the house anymore, since idrisfynn was eventually able to find a Chowon with his default face still intact.

These two old school sculpts came home in 2006 after about a year of staring at them online wondering how I would ever afford them.

 

Ashbet, that's a wonderful story! What a sweet thing for your daughter (and husband) to do for you.

FastFeet, that must be SoulDoll Tiffee! I like her fair coloring.

St. James, is that Bermann and Woosoo? What a sly look Woosoo has!!

Rorek, Link looks pretty good with that facial hair!! I love how square his jaw is, it's so distinctive.

Linda S.
galatia9

 

That is indeed a Bermann (He belongs to idrisfynn, and he's the doll that got us into this whole mess!), but that's not a Woosoo!

 

Heehee! I am NOT up to speed on Delfs, that was my best guess! I don't even know if he IS a Delf!

Linda S.
galatia9

 

Well, he is modified, so it's kind of unfair.

 

Oh, a Tiffee! I remember when those four Soulkids came out. There was Tiffee, Sweeny... and then two boys. They were all adorable. Man, I love Souldoll!

And that's a modded dreaming Shiwoo! Love me some Shiwoo.

 

Yup, you both got it, Armeleia and Galatia9! She's a Souldoll Tiffee girl.

The other two were Harang and Synder, and all four were available on either the girl or boy bodies.

 

Here's a sadly under loved sculpt:

2006 Nanuri Delf..... Never could quite make him a boy... so he's been androgynous forever....



And here's a little darling I no-longer have but wished everyday since I never sold.... I'll wager there is only a handful of people who know this sculpt:



Any guesses?

 

@St. James... Kaspar ...sorry, he will always be that sculpt for me (his old-school modded self... I won't say which in case folks are guessing)

 

Omgosh I must know who this lady is with the black hair! O.O

 

Bambi Darling, I'm thinking St James may have the prettiest Choa I've ever seen! That is a gorgeous faceup she has.

 

Oh geez! Says right in the post above me what she is >.< I got confused lol Thank you ^_^

 

FastFeet: Awww, a Souldoll Tiffee! I used to want one back when they were still for sale. That quirky face is so precious!

Does anyone have pictures of either a Kanon Louis or Yui. I still want to get a hold of Louis, but it's like he disappeared off the face of the earth; can't find ANY pictures of him.

 

Yep yep! My first Dremel victim, back when I was a newbie who didn't know any better. At least I didn't do too bad of a job!

I really need to get his old head painted to match his new head so that he can still have some sly moments. It's been in my box of floating heads for several years now! *shame*

dybbuk did an AMAZING job on her! I actually gave up my original Unique Ai Choa by Uyuchagongbang to replace her with this version and I honestly can't say I regret it. The Midnight Illusion Choa was super special to me because I had purchased her with some money I'd inherited from my great grandmother who still collected dolls after the age of 100, so I was really careful with her replacement.

You'll have to prod idrisfynn to post her Yui. She gave up on hunting a Louis when she found a Yui, and I don't think we've seen one for sale in all the time that has passed since!

 

Wowie, that is a cool wig St. James.

 

That's a DollHeart wig from the first? Val Zeitler collaboration. I must say I was pretty skeptical about DollHeart wigs when they first ventured into that realm, but I really like them!

Awww! I still kinda miss her and I catch myself looking at every new Fairyland girl hoping they'll make some face that's a magical combination of Miyu and Ashley so I can have everything I want all in one doll.

 

I really adore this thread, I'm old and these days I feel completely lost in the ocean of recent sculpts and companies, and seeing these beauties feels like home. Thanks for sharing, guys! So good to see all the beautiful original CH sculpts (CH was my fav company at this time), the Glorydolls, the Unidolls (I wanted the Uni-13 so much *sigh*), the Hypermaniacs and all the classics that made the reputation of big companies like Volks, Dollmore, Dollshe or Luts.
I do own several oldies, all were purchased during 2005.

My precious first BJD Noali, a basic Choa:


Venise, tiny Elfdoll Olivia "sky", 1st edition. My second doll. She still has her original make-up by Rainman and her original outfit!


Who requested Tiffee? ^^ My little princess Madelief has a make-up by Jay (I bought the doll from her), unfortunately it's a little damaged. She's so old, and her body is a nightmare to pose, but I melt each time I see her pouting face. ^^




I have no idea when the F-04 (old F-02) Volks sculpt was released, I bought mine in 2005 (just the head). Her name is Nectar.

 

Wow, Algesiras, your Nectar is gorgeous!!

St. James, I should have known that was Shiwoo, eye mods or no, as I have considered buying a regular open eyed version for years! His smile is unique.

Linda S.
galatia9

 

my customhouse sia (Emmaline)



and my Unique "Summer Prefume Sia" ... one of the very old uniques!

 

Eeeee, Jola, it's lovely to see your girls!! Do you still have any pics of your early CP dolls? I remember Inari so fondly

Cynthia in Flint Hills, do you still have your Shaman Varim?

-- A

 

It looks pretty nice.

I don't have any experience with DollHeart wigs yet. I have a pair of shoes (which the pleather is falling apart and making them look icky), and a jacket. I do like the jacket though, it is very nicely made.

 

This is my very first BJD, my Volks SD13 Kira. She is definitely oldschool, in such that Volks doesn't even make her anymore (unless it's through FCS?), and it's the oldstyle resin as well. I absolutely love her and have been trying to think up new outfits for her, since I'm getting back into the hobby.

This isn't her original faceup, though I like this one a lot better! It gives her more of a Celtic look methinks!

 

How lucky you were to find your lovely girl again. She is wonderful.

 

Wow, these are a blast from the past! Not sure my modded/mixed-up dolls fit here though!

 

Wow, just WoW!! I don't think there is a doll on this thread that I don't love.
I have often wondered what happened to some of the wonderful dolls that Customhouse made. I'm so happy that I could find some of them here, and they are as beautiful as I remember.

Added: I'll try to get my CH kids photographed. And, I have a doll that I bet you can't guess who it is.

 

Oh heck no, you did a great job! He's always been one of my favorites as well.

No, bad things with early dolls would be my dying my Domuya Bobo black (Domuya resin of that period turned lemon-yellow after not long so I thought I'd be doing something cool). I still think he looks neat as a coal-black doll but damnagit, Kay, he was a limited... WHAT was I thinking?

Ok so I just took a few quick shots of my oldest dolls -- in terms of when they were made, that is. Most of them are new to me.

I have no idea which sculpt this lovely lady is but her head cap says she was made in 2002:


This one is a Dollfie Dream head manufactured in 2003. She's on a DDII body (because the DD1 body I have didn't match as well:




Now, these two boys are heads from the same company (and both are on Fantasydoll bodies because that's what I could find that worked well with them). Zel has been with me since nearly the beginning (he's obviously modded and what can I say, I came here via anime ). His brother is brand new to me but of the same vintage... and given that I got Zel in a trade, pre-modded, in 2006 he almost has to have been made the year before.

I didn't notice whether anyone guessed Zel before, but here they are

 

I know ;_;. Talk about the unobtainable grail doll, here. I could kick myself that I didn't go for the Yui I saw a few years back, but then again, I fell in love with Louis' mournful look and Yui is just a liiitle too cheerful to my liking.

@Algesiras: Yay, Tiffee! And a beautiful name too . I love daisies.

 

That lovely looks like a Sweet Dream Nono.

 

Ooo thank you! I think you might be right; I rmember seeing her name in her auction thread but not retaining it in the midst of "MUST HAVE!" But that rings a definite bell. I'm delighted with her.

 

Baakay, your DD girl looks like Mirai or Candy to me.

Linda S.
galatia9

 

Thank you so much galatia9 and Silk for your kind words!

Aah so many old school beauties to admire, this thread is a delight, please post more!

 

So good to see all these older dolls, glad people still have and love them! We have a few old'uns in our house, Serendipity Alice, Soulkid Miryu and Soom Minigem Uyoo, my mother in law has DOD Bee-A

 

I have a Serendipity Noel, who still had her original faceup when I got her:



And I played a lot with her and had to redo her chipped faceup. I still love her so much!